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Сряда, 16 януари 2008 г. - Страсбург Редактирана версия

10. Положението в Пакистан след убийството на Benazir Bhutto (разискване)
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  La Présidente. – L'ordre du jour appelle les déclarations du Conseil et de la Commission sur la situation au Pakistan suite à l'assassinat de Benazir Bhutto.

 
  
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  Janez Lenarčič, predsedujoči Svetu. − Umor nekdanje predsednice vlade in glavne voditeljice opozicije Benazir Buto je seveda otežil že tako ali tako zapletene razmere pred volitvami v Pakistanu. Poleg tega je seveda zelo negativno vplival na postopek postopnega prehoda k bolj demokratičnemu sistemu v Pakistanu. Umorjena Benazir Buto je prav gotovo bila ena tistih, ki bi lahko prispevali k napredku na področjih kot so gospodarski razvoj, zmanjšanje korupcije in večja svoboda medijev.

Vse od uvedbe izrednih razmer 3. novembra lani, smo v Evropski uniji, vključno v Evropskem parlamentu, poudarjali potrebo po stabilnosti in pozivali k spravi ter ponovni vzpostavitvi demokracije. Stabilnost v Pakistanu je prav gotovo v našem strateškem interesu. To pomeni, da podpiramo boj pakistanske zmerne večine v njihovem boju proti nasilni manjšini skrajnežev.

Naši interesi, interesi Evropske unije v Pakistanu, so tesno povezani tudi z našimi prednostnimi nalogami glede Afganistana in širše regije. Povezani so z našim bojem proti terorizmu, bojem proti neširjenju orožja za množično uničevanje, v našem boju za spoštovanje človekovih pravic, in vse to je bilo v naših sporočilih pakistanskim oblastem večkrat poudarjeno.

Predsednik Mušaraf predvidoma naslednji teden prihaja v Bruselj. To bo enkratna priložnost za posredovanje naših sporočil. Stik z ostalimi glavnimi stranmi v Pakistanu je prav tako vzpostavljen, vključno z našimi mednarodnimi partnerji.

Ključno sporočilo Sveta Evropske unije je tako naslednje - da je izvedba svobodnih, poštenih in za vse odprtih volitev v Pakistanu naslednji mesec odločilnega pomena. Pakistanska vlada si mora prizadevati za zagotovitev ustreznih političnih in varnostnih razmer za izvedbo takšnih volitev. Poleg tega bi morale vse strani upoštevati sklep volilne komisije, da se volitve 18. februarja izvedejo z dostojanstvom in zadržanostjo.

Pakistanske oblasti tudi vabimo, da podaljšano obdobje do volitev izkoristijo za izboljšanje razmer za volitve v skladu z mednarodnimi standardi. Predvsem bi morale storiti vse v njihovi moči za preprečitev volilnih goljufij, ustrahovanja in za zagotovitev preglednosti za svobodno delovanje medijev in izpustitev političnih zapornikov. Vse to bi prispevalo k demokratičnemu in preglednemu volilnemu procesu pod ustreznimi varnostnimi pogoji. Kot je znano bo Evropska unija v Pakistan napotila celotno misijo za opazovanje volitev. Upamo, da bodo volitve celovito spremljane na mednarodni ravni.

Na prvem zasedanju Sveta za splošne zadeve in zunanje odnose konec tega meseca, bodo ministri za zunanje zadeve temeljito obravnavali položaj v Pakistanu in razpravljali o možnostih, kako bi lahko EU pripomogla k uspešnemu nadaljevanju in krepitvi demokratičnih procesov v tej državi.

 
  
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  Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Member of the Commission. − Madam President, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto is nothing less than a national tragedy and came as a shock to all of us. Mrs Bhutto was, I think for all of us, a symbol of a moderate and liberal Pakistan. She enjoyed popular support and she also had the courage to challenge extremism and terrorism. It was perhaps, unfortunately, this very courage for which she ultimately paid with her life. Her murder is a loss for the millions of Pakistanis who had placed hope in her for democracy and a better future. Her death is also a loss for Europe and the world.

It is unfortunate that disturbing news from Pakistan has become all too common, nearly every day. Hardly a week passes without a major terrorist attack, and some 700 Pakistanis have been killed by suicide bombers over the past six months. I believe we can draw a lesson from Mrs Bhutto’s death, and that is that Pakistan needs a functioning democracy, the rule of law and a strong civil society to address the country’s mounting challenges.

You will recall that the country was placed under emergency rule on 3 November. This, of course, greatly undermined confidence in the democratic process in advance of parliamentary elections. Emergency rule was then lifted on 15 December, but only after new media restrictions had been imposed and most of the senior judiciary replaced. A number of judges and lawyers remain in detention to this day. They should be released without delay.

The outpouring of anger following the murder of Mrs Bhutto led to civil unrest and ultimately the decision to postpone elections from 8 January to 18 February. These elections should now be held as planned, without any further delay. I think Pakistan has to move ahead, and the way forward is to organise democratic and transparent elections which result in a broad and also a credible popular mandate for new governments, both at the federal but also at the provincial level. We should jointly pass this message to President Musharraf when he comes to visit Europe next week.

Some players are trying to draw political capital from the Bhutto assassination. Let us not forget that it is, ultimately, extremist forces who are interested in destabilising Pakistan and who are responsible for this despicable act. They should not be allowed to succeed. A credible investigation into the murder can help to calm the waves, but only if everybody keeps a level head. Let me add that Scotland Yard is doing a commendable job in trying to help in this respect.

President Musharraf spoke of the need for national reconciliation when he addressed the nation on 2 January. I think this is indeed what is required. The opposition has to be taken on board in coping with the current situation. Significantly, all major opposition parties will participate in the forthcoming elections. But, regrettably, Pakistan has a history of lack of trust in electoral outcomes, which could lead to further political polarisation. Naturally, the chances for national reconciliation will greatly improve if President Musharraf and the relevant authorities do whatever is necessary to ensure that these elections are held in a fair and transparent manner.

Because these elections are so important, not only for Pakistan but also for the region, I decided to deploy an election observation mission (EOM) with the aim of contributing to democracy and stability in the country. If the elections had really been held on 8 January as originally planned, we could only have fielded a limited observation mission. However, in view of the time that is now available until the elections, in consultation with the Chief Observer, Mr Michael Gahler, who is a Member of this Parliament, I decided to upgrade the mission to a fully-fledged election observation mission. We are all very much aware of the important role this mission is likely to play in the coming weeks.

I continue to be very concerned about the conditions in which these elections are held and the potential for this to lead to a critical statement from the EOM if steps are not urgently taken to address these concerns. Key problems, including lack of confidence in the election administration, lack of transparency in the results process, and the lack of an effective complaints and appeals process in which stakeholders have confidence, are all present in Pakistan.

Concrete steps could still be taken by the state and the electoral authorities to improve the conditions for elections. I understand that both EU Heads of Mission in Islamabad and the election observation mission on the ground have already outlined the key improvements that are necessary. I think we should make every effort to stress these points with the Pakistani authorities, including with the President, when he visits Brussels soon.

I also remain concerned about the security situation in Pakistan, particularly in the light of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, but also recent bomb attacks in Lahore, Karachi and, of course, the North-Western Territory frontier province. We urge the Pakistani authorities to do all they can to provide a securer environment in which the elections can be held, and we will carefully then assess the security situation in the light of the deployment of EU observers.

President Musharraf has taken off his uniform as promised. I hope that this will result in progress towards stronger civilian institutions and sustainable democracy in Pakistan. But it is also important that Pakistan continues to make progress in fighting poverty. The Commission has, therefore, significantly increased its development cooperation funding to Pakistan for the coming years, including in the field of education. And I remain committed to this approach, which I also see as a contribution towards fighting extremism.

 
  
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  José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, en nombre del Grupo PPE-DE. – Señora Presidenta, volvemos a tratar en nuestro Parlamento, después del debate y la resolución que aprobamos en el mes de diciembre, nuevamente la situación en Pakistán. Desde entonces se han producido toda una serie de acontecimientos, como nos han recordado la Comisión y el Consejo.

Primero el levantamiento del estado de emergencia, después la subsiguiente liberación, aunque incompleta –como nos ha recordado la Comisaria– de diferentes abogados, magistrados, jueces, periodistas y representantes de la sociedad civil, el asesinato de la ex-Primera Ministra señora Bhutto, que ha trasladado una dosis considerable de inestabilidad al grave proceso de disolución que está viviendo la sociedad de este país, el subsiguiente retraso del proceso electoral a los próximos días del mes de febrero, y, evidentemente también, la próxima visita y la comparecencia ante la Comisión de Asuntos Exteriores de nuestro Parlamento, el próximo lunes, del Presidente de Pakistán.

Lo primero que quisiera hacer, señora Presidenta, es, en nombre de mi grupo político, el Grupo del Partido Popular Europeo y de los Demócratas Europeos, expresar nuestra más enérgica condena por ese salvaje atentado terrorista, que realmente no hace más que reafirmar lo que nos decía el ponente del informe anterior, señor Díaz de Mera: que el terrorismo es un fenómeno que nos afecta a todos por igual.

Y antes de concluir mi intervención, señora Presidenta, me gustaría dejar dos preguntas encima de la mesa para la Comisión y el Consejo.

Reconozco los esfuerzos de la Comisaria, señora Ferrero, dando una respuesta positiva a la petición del Parlamento de que se pudiese contar, ante esta situación, con una misión de observación electoral. Pero ella se ha referido a las condiciones que le preocupan en las que se va a celebrar este proceso. ¿Piensa, señora Comisaria, que ante los índices de violencia, de miedo y de inestabilidad en este país, que es clave para la estabilidad de Asia Central, entre otras cosas por ser el único país musulmán que se encuentra dotado del arma nuclear, se dan las mejores condiciones para poder realizar este proceso?

Y, última pregunta, señora Presidenta. La Comisaria se ha referido a una investigación creíble. La familia, tanto el viudo, como el hijo, como el Partido Popular de Pakistán y la propia señora Bhutto antes de fallecer, en una comunicación que mantuvo con el Secretario del Foreign Office, expresaron su deseo de que esta investigación sea hecha por las Naciones Unidas. ¿Comparten la Comisión y el Consejo la conveniencia de una investigación independiente que esclarezca definitivamente este terrible asesinato?

 
  
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  Robert Evans, on behalf of the PSE Group. – Madam President, as Chairman of the Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia, I join the Council and the Commission in the condemnation of the murder of Benazir Bhutto. This Parliament has always condemned terrorism wherever it occurs and we will continue to fight for the right of politicians to express their views and to campaign in safety.

In going back to Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto knew the risks and, whether you consider her to be brave or foolhardy, you have to respect her commitment to her party and her country. In her memory and the memory of others who have died in this election period, I believe it is beholden on all of us – Europeans and Pakistanis from President Musharraf downwards – to do everything we can to assist Pakistan.

As Mr Lenarčič said, the key to this must be the continuing battle against terrorism. We have seen that terrorism is a threat in Pakistan as much as it is in Europe or the USA. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner has reminded us that hundreds of innocent civilians have been killed in shootings and suicide bombs in Pakistan, so Europe must continue to fully assist and support the counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan.

Some colleagues here might suggest we should leave Pakistan be and have little to do with it, but I firmly believe the contrary. As 27 strong democratic nations, we need to work collectively to support the economic, social and political developments in Pakistan. Again, I agree with the Council: the release of all remaining political detainees will be crucial to this process, as will ensuring free, fair, transparent and safe elections on 18 February 2008 and a safe and satisfactory run-up to that date.

In addition to what the Commissioner said, I think the election will mean that we need to have 90 million voters with proper access to news coverage of all sides of the debate. It means making a safer environment for the media. Pakistan has become the most dangerous Asian country for the media: at least six journalists were killed in 2007, some 30 seriously injured, over 100 arrested and countless harassed. We need an end to the censorship of the print and broadcast media and to restrictions on what they can say and do without interference from the military or civilian authorities. The ban on the TV news station GEO News needs to be lifted and the government television channel PTV needs to be more balanced in its news and the information it conveys to the public.

All arrangements for the actual voting, the counting and the reporting of the results need to be above board and clear to everyone, but most especially to the voters of Pakistan. A mark of democracy is also whether incumbents can accept defeat and whether political transition from one party of government to another, if it occurs, can go smoothly. All of these will be crucial factors in whether or not the elections can be counted as a true record of the will of the people and whether or not Pakistan can start to emerge from the long shadow cast by that assassin’s bullet on 27 December 2007.

 
  
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  Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, namens de ALDE-Fractie. – Voorzitter, commissaris, voorzitter van de Raad, ik zou natuurlijk ook willen beginnen met mijn grote droefenis uit te spreken over de tragische dood van Benazir Bhutto. Benazir Bhutto is een laureate geweest van de prijs voor vrijheid van de Liberale Internationale. Wij hebben haar die uitgereikt, de eerste keer dat ze eerste minister was.

Ja, ze is menselijk, ze was menselijk en dus was ze onvolmaakt. Wij hebben ons op een bepaald ogenblik later afgevraagd of we daar eigenlijk wel goed aan hadden gedaan. Ik heb toen die vraag voorgelegd aan Asma Jahangir, een mensenrechtenactiviste uit Pakistan, die nu belast is met een speciale opdracht namens de secretaris-generaal van de Verenigde Naties. Zij heeft mij gezegd dat wij daar absoluut goed aan hebben gedaan, want Benazir Bhutto is om meerdere redenen een echt voorbeeld geweest in Pakistan, zeker voor wat betreft de rol en de functie van de vrouw in de Pakistaanse samenleving.

Dat Benazir Bhutto gedood is door gewelddadige terroristen is een feit, maar wie de commanditeurs zijn van die gewelddadige terroristen blijft een open vraagstuk. Ik geloof dat er geen verzoening mogelijk is in Pakistan, indien niet een onpartijdig onderzoek duidelijkheid en klaarheid brengt in deze zaak. Of daarom moet worden ingegaan op de vraag van de familie om een VN-onderzoek, dat weet ik niet, maar er moeten in elk geval garanties voor onpartijdigheid zijn, want president Musharraf heeft niet bepaald veel blijk gegeven van groot respect voor de gerechtelijke instanties, met inbegrip van de hoogste instantie in zijn land.

Ik wil u ook zeggen dat ik berichten krijg uit Pakistan dat er dezer dagen duizenden militanten van de PPP worden opgepakt, worden gearresteerd, in staat van beschuldiging worden gesteld. Ook dit moet stoppen, wil men dat de verkiezingen in redelijke omstandigheden verlopen.

 
  
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  Jean Lambert, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, I would very much like to join my voice to that of my colleagues in thanking both the Council and, indeed, the Commission in particular, for the practical steps that have been outlined in terms of helping to support the electoral administration process and to try and improve the quality and hopefully the outcome as well, of those elections should they take place.

We also welcome the commitment to further financing for development, not least in education, because there are many of us in this House who believe that investment there will prove at least as powerful, if not more powerful than investment in weapons, which seems to have been a priority for some external bodies in their support for Pakistan over the last few years. We hope that the international community in general will support the efforts of the European Union in these lines.

Like others here, we also want to express our sympathy for the family of Benazir Bhutto, but also for the families of all the bereaved in Pakistan killed in outrageous attacks and indeed through military action. We would agree that we do need stability, both for the people of Pakistan and indeed, given that it is a nuclear state, for the international community as well.

But, as others have said, I do not think it is enough to try and develop people’s confidence in the electoral system and its outcome. The judiciary is another key democratic institution. It needs to be functioning and to be independent. People need to feel that they will have a fair trial, that they will see an end to detention without charge, an end to secret prisons and, indeed, a commitment from whatever government comes into being after the elections, to continue the inquiries into the disappearances that have also taken place in that country.

We also agree that freedom of the press is vital, but we would also ask that some of our Member States cease contemplating extraditions to Pakistan at the moment until we can be sure that there is a fair and independent functioning judiciary.

 
  
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  Philip Claeys (NI). – Voorzitter, de moord op Benazir Bhutto is een drama voor Pakistan en toont de enormiteit van de problemen aan waarmee Pakistan wordt geconfronteerd. Het gaat om een land met 165 miljoen inwoners, het gaat om een land dat atoomwapens bezit en dat in een strijd verwikkeld is met terreurorganisaties zoals Al-Qaeda en de Taliban. Het is natuurlijk van het grootste belang dat er zo snel mogelijk politieke stabiliteit komt in Pakistan en dat president Musharraf daar op dit moment een belangrijke rol in moet spelen.

Toch moeten we niet blind blijven voor de vele belangrijke tekortkomingen in het beleid van Musharraf. Er is bijvoorbeeld een veel te lakse aanpak geweest van het terrorismeprobleem. In grote delen van het grensgebied met Afghanistan bijvoorbeeld hebben de Taliban en Al-Qaeda vrij spel, en daar wordt veel te weinig aan gedaan. Musharraf heeft met de afkondiging van de noodtoestand op 3 november ook aangetoond dat hij het niet zo nauw neemt met de democratie.

Bovendien waren er ook al onrustwekkende vingers in zijn richting na de eerste aanslag op Benazir Bhutto op 18 oktober. Hetzelfde is gebeurd na de effectieve moord op Benazir Bhutto. Er moet zo snel mogelijk duidelijkheid komen over zijn mogelijke rol hierin, want als dat niet gebeurt, verdwijnt het vertrouwen van de publieke opinie in de overheid en dat kan alleen maar in het voordeel van de moslimextremisten spelen.

 
  
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  Charles Tannock (PPE-DE). – Madam President, The Economist stated recently that Pakistan is the world’s most dangerous nuclear arms state. Regrettably, in my view, President Musharraf’s commitment to fully eradicating Islamist terror has always been lukewarm at best, and his control over the ISI or intelligence services, who allegedly are in bed with Islamists, is tenuous as well. Add to that the combustible issues of Kashmir, Baluchi separatism, Al Qa’ida and Taliban activity in the North-West Frontier territories and tribal areas causing mischief for NATO in Afghanistan, and you have a country on the point of implosion.

Just as Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan offered the country a glimmer of hope, so her despicable assassination, whose culprits must be identified and punished, has taken the country back to the brink of catastrophe. A return to democracy is as difficult as ever. The assumption in the EU and the USA is that Musharraf, for all his autocratic tendencies, represents the safer bet in the war on terrorism.

Pakistan’s experience of democracy in the past 60 years has been troubled. Perhaps it is time now to abandon the hope that Western-style multiparty democracy can embed itself successfully in Pakistan, which has always been dominated by a tiny élite. It is more akin to a feudal hereditary monarchy, a fact underlined by the instant elevation of Benazir Bhutto’s 19-year-old son to the leadership of the Pakistani People’s Party, who will no doubt do very well at the imminent 18 February elections.

The apparent choice for the West between Pakistan and India is also a false dichotomy. It is a hangover from the Cold War. India, as a strategic ally, is the best hope for progress, prosperity, peace and stability in South Asia. India’s values are the EU’s values – secular democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Let us start supporting those who share our values before we try to persuade those who do not.

 
  
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  Marianne Mikko (PSE). – Kallid kolleegid, Euroopa Parlamendi Lõuna-Aasia delegatsioon hoiatas Pakistani valitsust Benazir Bhutto turvameetmete nõrkuse eest juba novembris. Kahjuks osutusid meie terrorismikartused tõeks. Benazir Bhutto jääb kangelaseks nii Pakistani rahva kui rahvusvahelise üldsuse jaoks. Tema puudumine kandidaatide seast seab kahtluse alla eesseisvate valimiste legitiimsuse.

Kriis Pakistanis on aga ühtlasi ka võimalus see riik demokraatia teele suunata. Pakistanlased ei ole kindral Musharrafi presidendiks valinud. Kuid tal on võimalus praegu valida: kas minna ajalukku sõjaväelise diktaatori või demokraatliku presidendina.

Riigimehena peaks Musharraf kindlasti mõistma, et valimistel peab võitma demokraatia, isegi kui ta isiklikult peab võimust loobuma. Ja seda tahame me järgmisel nädalal Musharrafi käest otse küsida Brüsselis väliskomisjoni istungil.

Euroopa Liit peab jätkama dialoogi Pakistaniga. Just sellepärast peame lähetama – nagu komisjongi õigesti ütles – oma vaatlejad 18. veebruari valimistele. Pakistanis toimuv ei saa olla ainult USA asi.

Bhutto mõrva läbipaistev rahvusvaheline uurimine, ajakirjandusvabaduse täielik taastamine ning vabad ja õiglased valimised Pakistanis on ülitähtis küsimus ka Euroopa Liidu jaoks. Me ei saavuta oma eesmärki kõrvalseisjat mängides. Meil ei ole muud valikut kui jätkata aktiivset poliitikat suhetes Pakistaniga.

 
  
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  Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE). – Madam President, I echo completely the statements made by colleagues, but I want to say something more about the person rather than the situation. There is a saying in Finnish that war is not dependent on one man. That might be so, but the war between democracy and extremism might be very dependent on one woman.

I think of the former, and now murdered, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mrs Benazir Bhutto. I had the pleasure of meeting her and working with her and was deeply impressed by how warm, intelligent and brave she was. I am so proud to say that, to me, she was a friend and a political ally. So much has now been said and written about her that you might ask what more can be said. I think that I can share something that you did not, perhaps, know. Her last big project for democracy, human rights and women’s rights was the creation of an organisation called Muslim Women for Democracy and Human Rights. Together with other brave women like Asma Jehangir from Pakistan and Dr Shrin Ebadi from Iran, she created an organisation to encourage Muslim women around the world to stand up for the rights that the Koran gives women, according to Benazir Bhutto, but that had been denied for centuries.

She was elected by the world’s leading Muslim women democracy activists in May 2007 to be the first chairwoman of this new organisation. Benazir Bhutto wanted the organisation to comfort Muslim women, to give them legal advice and practical help and, above all, help them to form a network of Muslim women around the world to build a world of peace, where different religions could live in peace and with respect. She said, ‘I want to build a Pakistan where a Jew can go to the synagogue, a Christian to the church and a Muslim to the mosque, all without any fear’. Her dream was that the new organisation could help this dream come true all over the world, both in the West and in the Muslim world. I think that the best way to honour the memory of this brave sister for democracy is to support the organisation that she created as a sign of hope, even after she is gone.

 
  
  

PRESIDÊNCIA: MANUEL ANTÓNIO DOS SANTOS
Vice-Presidente

 
  
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  Jo Leinen (PSE). – Herr Präsident! Benazir Bhutto soll ihrem Sohn gesagt haben: Die Verwirklichung der Demokratie in Pakistan ist unsere Rache an der Militärherrschaft. Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, sorgen wir dafür, dass dieses Vermächtnis von Benazir Bhutto nicht nur ein Auftrag an ihren Sohn ist, sondern an uns alle und an die Internationale Gemeinschaft, dafür zu sorgen und mitzuhelfen, dass es in Pakistan demokratische Verhältnisse gibt.

Die Situation dort ist nicht gut, das haben viele Vorredner gesagt, und die Art und Weise, wie dieser Anschlag auf Benazir Bhutto behandelt wurde, ist geradezu erschreckend. Auch ich würde uns auffordern, dafür zu sorgen, dass es eine internationale Untersuchung dieses Mordanschlags gibt. Scotland Yard mag da schon einige Vorarbeiten machen, aber ich glaube, es wäre gut, wenn diese Untersuchung im Auftrag der UNO stattfinden würde.

Frau Kommissarin und Herr Ratspräsident, Sie haben gesagt, die Stabilität in Pakistan sei in unserem Interesse – sehr wohl –, aber wir schauen nur immer auf die Minderheit der Terroristen. Wenn Sie in Pakistan sind, dann werden Sie hören, dass das Militärsystem Instabilität schafft, und Präsident Musharraf hat einen gehörigen Anteil daran, dass die Situation schlechter geworden ist.

Er war letztes Jahr hier im Parlament. Wir haben ihm alle Kritikpunkte gesagt, es ist nichts besser geworden, vieles ist schlechter geworden, und deshalb verstehe ich eigentlich nicht, wieso er nächste Woche wieder hier in dieses Parlament kommen kann. Die Zivilgesellschaft in Pakistan sieht das als eine heimliche Komplizenschaft, dass der Westen letzten Endes das Militärsystem und auch die Person von Herrn Musharraf akzeptiert. Ich glaube, wir sollten nächste Woche sehr deutlich werden.

 
  
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  Giulietto Chiesa (PSE). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il Pakistan di oggi è davvero il luogo più pericoloso, il groviglio centrale in cui si annodano tutti i fili del terrorismo. Questo paese è però nello stesso tempo il principale alleato dell'Occidente contro il terrorismo. A questa contraddizione non si può sfuggire, così come non sarà possibile la fine della guerra in Afghanistan senza averla risolta.

L'attuale politica europea è in grado di risolvere poco, almeno fino a che agirà a supporto di quella degli Stati Uniti. Possiamo e dobbiamo chiedere a Musharraf il ripristino della costituzione e regolari elezioni. Ma lo strano e tragico assassinio di Benazir Bhutto ci dice che siamo impotenti, e lo siamo perché il terrorismo in Pakistan è dentro le strutture dello Stato, anzi promana da esse, da quei servizi segreti che – non si dimentichi – costruirono i talebani e tuttora li sostengono e li aiutano.

Ma allora dovremmo chiedere a Musharraf di fare pulizia e agli Stati Uniti, che con quei servizi hanno rapporti molto stretti, di chiarirci quei rapporti, perché se Osama Bin Landen fosse ancora vivo, lo sarebbe grazie a quei servizi, a meno che non già sia stato ucciso. Del resto Benazir Bhutto – lo voglio ricordare – lo disse in un'intervista ad Al Jazeera il 2 novembre del 2007, disse anche il nome dell'assassino, Omar Sheikh, colui che Musharraf nel suo ultimo libro sospetta come ex collaboratore dell'MI6 britannico.

Alla luce di tutto questo credo che la richiesta di una commissione internazionale d'inchiesta sulla morte di Benazir Bhutto sarebbe una giusta decisione europea.

 
  
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  Neena Gill (PSE). – Mr President, firstly, I should like to give condolences to the family and friends of Benazir Bhutto. Her loss is not just Pakistan’s but is a loss to the whole world.

I am very proud to have known her personally. She invited me to join her on her return to Pakistan, and it was very much a heart-wrenching moment for me when I received her New Year’s greetings days after she had been murdered.

I remember Benazir as a very strong charismatic woman, asserting her right to rule as the first elected female leader, at the age of 35, of a Muslim state. I believe she will be remembered as one of the great figures of our century – a leader who inspired both women and men beyond South Asia and represented, above all, hope for a better future for Pakistan.

Benazir’s death has caused upheaval in her country, and I believe the only route to stability will be if questions that are being asked about her assassination are answered. Many people, not just in Pakistan but also those I represent in the West Midlands, want to know who the real culprits are. Therefore, I ask the Council to strongly support the calls for international investigation by the United Nations into the murder and I ask the Council and the Commission to inform this House what their position is on this.

Benazir Bhutto fought for a democratic Pakistan and a peaceful transition to civilian rule. Her fight cost her her life. Let her death not be in vain. We need to continue this cause, and I welcome the fact that the Commissioner is sending a strong electoral observation mission. However, if this observation mission is to have credibility, it needs to indicate now to the Pakistani authorities the benchmarks the election observation mission will be using to judge whether the forthcoming elections are free and fair, and this includes an all-party participation in the review of the electoral rules and procedures and an impartial system of conducting elections and verifying election results that is totally transparent. But, above all, I would really like to emphasise the need for all press restrictions to be lifted and freedom to assemble for political rallies and campaigns, which, in the last few weeks, have been opposed.

 
  
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  Nickolay Mladenov (PPE-DE). – Mr President, the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto has left us a legacy, and that is an important legacy: to believe in what she believed in, and this was the power of the Pakistani people to rule by democracy.

In a recent poll as early as November of last year, 70% of people in Pakistan confirmed that they wanted all the restrictions lifted on political rallies; that they were against the banning of political events and opposed the detention of the Supreme Court Chief Justice.

This is the silent majority of Pakistanis who want to live in peace and democracy, and if we are looking for stability in such a volatile country, we can only find it through a political process of reconciliation and democracy.

I welcome the Commission’s appeal to send an observer mission to this election but I have two questions for the Commissioner: one is, we have heard various reports of voting lists being destroyed around the country and how can an election take place in this environment?

Secondly, President Musharraf has also banned independent exit polls on this election. I press on the Commission to make a very strong case before the Pakistani authorities to allow independent confirmation of the results of this election.

 
  
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  Richard Howitt (PSE). – Mr President, the target of the assassins was not simply Benazir Bhutto, but all of those who are committed to the principle of democracy. We should be backing the moderate majority in Pakistan who seek to uphold democracy, and Mr Tannock is wrong to say that all in Pakistan reject European values, as 800 000 British people of Pakistani origin could tell him.

I welcome Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner’s strengthening of the EU electoral observation mission and recognise our important role in building confidence in the electoral process. Through her and through today’s debate, I call on Pakistan to lift all restrictions on political campaigning, to release remaining political detainees, to publish in advance the location of all polling stations and to ensure that all results are posted immediately in public.

We should welcome the lifting of the state of emergency, President Musharraf’s retirement as Army Chief of Staff and the invitation to my own country, the United Kingdom, to assist in the investigation of Mrs Bhutto’s death. Militant extremists are not simply a threat in Pakistan: they are a threat to us all.

 
  
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  Sajjad Karim (PPE-DE). – Mr President, on 14 November in this House, I stated that the biggest threat facing Pakistan internally is the terrorist threat. The abhorrent assassination of Benazir Bhutto is proof of this, if it was required.

Extremists hit that day but they must not be allowed to win the day. We called for President Musharraf on that day to end the state of emergency, to reinstate the constitution, to reinstate the Supreme Court and move towards free and fair elections.

He has done all of this, albeit not necessarily perfectly, and he has relinquished his army role as well. We must call upon Pakistan’s politicians to unite and invest in that process. Pakistan is facing turbulent times and we must stand with it.

Just one further point. I have real concerns regarding the way in which what actually happens in this House is being distorted by some sections of Pakistan’s media in their reporting, particularly the news channel GEO. This House has always argued for a free and fair media. We stand by that and I ask them: please do not abuse the freedoms we hold dear.

 
  
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  Véronique De Keyser (PSE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, je comprends très bien le souci de beaucoup de personnes, dont vous-mêmes, dont Bernard Kouchner, d'envoyer une mission électorale au Pakistan.

C'est effectivement un des seuls moyens de pression que nous ayons encore sur M. Musharraf mais il faut bien se dire que cette mission d'observation se déroulerait dans des conditions tout à fait particulières.

Nous avons l'habitude d'étudier et de faire les observations avant, pendant et après. Pour ce qui s'est passé avant, nous savons déjà combien de choses ont été truquées. Mme Benazir Bhutto avait écrit, avec M. Latif Khosa,un rapport de 160 pages sur le truquage possible de ces élections, notamment par voie informatique, support qu'elle devait remettre à deux parlementaires américains le soir même de sa mort,.

Avons-nous, aujourd'hui, la possibilité de contrôler un truquage informatique dans une mission d'observation électorale? Dans la négative, nous pourrions alors décréter que même si l'"avant" a été plus que douteux, le "pendant" s'est passé normalement alors qu'il y aurait eu fraude. Je plaide par conséquent pour une mission d'observation tout à fait particulière et je demande que nous ne déclarions pas ces élections comme démocratiques quand nous ne pouvons pas le contrôler.

 
  
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  Sorin Frunzăverde (PPE-DE). – Benazir Bhutto repetă destul tragic al familiei sale, început de tatăl ei, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Asasinarea doamnei Bhutto are ca scop stoparea procesului de democratizare în Pakistan, dar şi destabilizarea acestei ţări care, să nu uităm, este principalul aliat pentru noi în lupta împotriva terorismului în campania pe care o ducem în Afganistan. Şi aş vrea să vă reamintesc că 25 de ţări din Uniunea Europeană au reprezentanţi militari sau civili astăzi în Afganistan. Armata pakistaneză desfăşoară importante acţiuni de menţinere a unui echilibru militar la frontiera cu Afganistanul, mai ales în provinciile Zabol şi Helmand, unde suntem reprezentanţi de trupe britanice în principal, lituaniene şi din România.

Vreau să spun, în acest sens, că este foarte important să discutăm despre elucidarea responsabilităţii în legătură cu asasinarea doamnei Bhutto, este foarte important să discutăm despre continuarea procesului de democratizare, dar este la fel de important să discutăm despre menţinerea echilibrului militar la frontiera cu Afganistanul şi despre cine poate fi garantul acestui echilibru pentru că, domnule Preşedinte, un posibil eşec în Afganistan datorită unui Pakistan destabilizat ar însemna un moment ruşinos pentru lumea democratică şi liberă pe care o reprezentăm.

 
  
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  Charles Tannock (PPE-DE). – Mr President, on a point of order, I would like to reply to Mr Howitt under the ‘catch-the-eye’ procedure, because he was incorrect in what he stated. I was referring to the Indian State and the Pakistani State and the governments of both countries – not the peoples of the countries or the people of descent of those countries who live within the Member States of the European Union. I was referring to the polities, not the people, so I would like Mr Howitt to withdraw his comments.

 
  
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  President. − I can give you thirty seconds to conclude.

 
  
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  Charles Tannock (PPE-DE). – That is very kind but I think I have already said it all. I was just simply stating that in my speech, I was referring to the fact that India is a secular democracy which respects human rights, does not shut down the media, does not actually persecute Christians or Ahmadi Muslims, and allows the people to express their views and practice their religion. Regrettably, Pakistan, over the last 50 or so years, has had troubled periods of military dictatorship and repression of religious minorities and ethnic minorities. That is to do with the state and the governments, not the peoples of either country. Similarly, I do not in any way doubt that people of Pakistani and Indian descent in London, which I represent, would share EU values.

 
  
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  Janez Lenarčič, predsedujoči Svetu. − Povsem na kratko. Bilo je nekaj vprašanj, povezanih s preiskavo, nekaj pozivov k neodvisni ali mednarodni preiskavi in nekaj vprašanj Svetu glede mnenja. Naj poudarim, da Svet o tem vprašanju ni razpravljal, tako da ne moremo govoriti o stališču Sveta, lahko pa seveda izrazim trdno upanje, trdno upanje predsedstva, da bo preiskava opravljena v skladu z mednarodnimi standardi. In v tej zvezi nas veseli, da vsaj ena država članica, Združeno kraljestvo, že sodeluje s posredovanjem ustrezne ekspertize pakistanskim pristojnim oblastem.

Glede volitev bi želel spomniti na izjavo predsedstva, izdano 3. januarja letos, v katerem je bila posebej poudarjena potreba, da je treba v tem času storiti vse, da se proces demokratizacije, demokracije, demokratični proces v Pakistanu obdrži in okrepi ter nadaljuje.

V tej zvezi bi želel ponovno pozdraviti sklep Evropske komisije za okrepitev misije za opazovanje volitev v Pakistanu in ponoviti bi želel naš poziv pakistanskim oblastem, da preostalo obdobje do volitev čim bolj izkoristijo za izboljšanje razmer za izvedbo volitev.

 
  
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  Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, let me begin by making some general remarks following this very interesting debate.

I know that some will always argue that stability and democracy are somehow incompatible in Pakistan. Let me say I think that, without a return to democratic governance and the consolidation of fully accountable civilian institutions, there cannot be enduring stability in the country and the extremists will be the main beneficiaries. For that reason, it is very important that we are there, that we accompany this country to more progress. Even though there was this terrible tragic death of Benazir Bhutto and of many other victims, I continue to believe that Pakistan has a chance to make real progress towards stability and a more inclusive form of democracy by electing a new government which enjoys broader popular legitimacy.

For this to happen, the elections will have to be democratic and transparent. This is a crucial time for Pakistan when President Musharraf should demonstrate to his country and to the world that he is committed to ensuring that these elections will be held democratically and transparently, in accordance with international standards.

What are the best conditions for carrying out elections? Other than political and security conditions, as I have already outlined in my opening remarks, the following key elements need to be there for a proper election environment.

Firstly, the election administration to operate in a transparent and consultative manner to promote confidence among voters; secondly, that all polling station results and all levels of result consolidation are publicly displayed; thirdly, the counting and tabulation process needs to be fully open to scrutiny; fourthly, media freedom and, fifthly, an independent framework for a complaints and appeals procedure.

Concerning the public publishing of polling stations, it is well known that they will be the same polling stations as the last elections. So that is clear.

Concerning the question that some voting lists have been destroyed, we know that there were some individual cases, but, fortunately, they were all stored on CDs with the Electoral Commission and the destroyed ones will be restored. Therefore, they will be available.

Concerning independent exit polls, this is not an essential element for the elections. However, it is increasingly the practice in many countries that this should also be there.

These are some of the detailed matters:

Let me now turn to the investigations. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, an investigation is under way in the country, which is being assisted by Scotland Yard. We should await the outcome of that investigation and we should also trust that, with its experience, Scotland Yard will be able to help the Pakistani authorities. Of course, it will be necessary to give them full access and support in doing that job.

After the elections, there might be a role then for an international group of eminent persons, but first we have to see what the inquiry will bring. I think it is too early to take a decision now. There was only a brief discussion in the Council working group, which was not conclusive.

Having said that, let me also say that it is highly important to help Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, and all the other requests mentioned in the debate, such as the release of all detainees, will be crucial.

I also stated very clearly that for a country like Pakistan it is important that there is a better focus on education. We have been doing that for some time, and it will take time – we are there for the long haul. But if we want democracy, this is something where we really have to make a difference and, therefore, I would like to maintain my cooperation projects, particularly in the most difficult areas, i.e. the North-West Frontier Province, Baluchistan, Waziristan and so on.

I would again like to say that with Mr Gahler, your colleague, the Chief Election Observer, I think we have a person who has already shown in those very difficult days in Pakistan how responsibly he has been taking on these things, with 52 long-term observers and with 11 people of a core team who are looking at all the detailed questions of the election observation mission. It will be a very specific one and it will be a good opportunity for you to tell President Musharraf yourself what you think. Therefore, it is good that you see him in the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

 
  
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  Zuzana Roithová (PPE-DE). – Pane předsedo, dovolte mi se Vás zeptat, jak má slušná žena na sebe upozornit v této metodě „catch the eye“, když sedí na okraji sálu. A chci vědět, jestli jsem byla do seznamu zařazena, anebo jak to tady mají dámy dělat.

 
  
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  Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE). – Mr President, on a point of order, I was probably the first person to apply this afternoon under the ‘catch-the-eye’ procedure. I do not know why you denied me the opportunity to speak. Indeed, you gave an extra opportunity to one of my colleagues who had already spoken in the debate. You then gave him more time!

I had no disagreement with what he said. It was just the procedure that you followed, and I think it was quite wrong that you denied me the opportunity to speak.

I wanted to make the point that we need a stable and reliable government in Pakistan.

 
  
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  Presidente. − Senhor Deputado, eu fui informado de que o Senhor Deputado já tinha feito uma intervenção segundo este processo catch the eye durante o dia de hoje e, portanto, tendo em conta as regras que foram estabelecidas para diversificar o mais possível a intervenção dos senhores deputados, optei pela escolha que fiz, que obviamente desta vez excluiu V. Exa., mas volto a repetir-lhe que outras oportunidades surgirão e, nessa altura, o Senhor Deputado Van Orden terá a oportunidade de usar a palavra. De todo o modo, o seu registo aqui fica feito e seguramente que será respeitado. Temos que prosseguir senão não temos tempo para as perguntas. Peço desculpa, Senhor Deputado, mas não podemos continuar este diálogo. Portanto, na nossa ordem do dia segue-se, portanto, o período de perguntas ao Conselho.

 
  
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  Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE). – Mr President, what you have just said is incorrect. The previous ‘catch-your-eye’ opportunity was because there was no one else that wanted to catch the eye, so it seemed to be an opportunity.

I had specifically asked to speak in this Pakistan debate. I put it in writing and I indicated throughout the debate that I wanted to speak. There was no excuse, therefore, for denying me that opportunity, and I had important comments that I wanted to make.

I am afraid that I am very disappointed in the way that you have conducted this particular meeting.

 
  
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  Presidente. − Está registado o seu protesto, Senhor Deputado.

 
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